1. Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills
Your friends are trying to persuade you to go to a party, but you aren’t sure because you don’t know the person who’s throwing the party.
What will you do?

2. In this lesson, you will learn to:
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to:
Develop the skills you need for making responsible decisions under pressure
Demonstrate the use of refusal skills and the avoidance of unsafe situations

3. Peer Pressure Peer Pressure
Your peers can sometimes influence how you think, feel, and act.
Peer pressure can have a positive or negative influence on your actions and behaviors.
It is useful to learn to evaluate forms of peer pressure and develop healthful strategies for responding to it.

4. Positive Peer Pressure
Peers can influence you in many positive ways.
Positive peer pressure may involve not participating in risky behaviors or activities.
You can also use positive peer pressure to influence others in healthful ways.
You can be a role model by inspiring peers to take part in a positive act or a worthwhile cause.

5. Negative Peer Pressure
Peers sometimes pressure others to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs that have negative consequences.
Negative peer pressure can involve harassment, which includes name-calling, teasing, or bullying.
Negative peer pressure may also lead some teens to engage in behaviors that go against their values.
Manipulation is another way of exerting negative peer pressure on others.

6. Common Methods of Manipulation
Peer Pressure
Common Methods of Manipulation

7. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
How to Resist Peer Pressure
One way to resist negative peer pressure is to avoid it.
Develop friendships with people who share your values and
interests.
Have friends who stand by you and support your decision.

8. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Things to Remember When Faced with Peer Pressure
It is important to
remain firm and stay
true to yourself.
Make decisions that
have the best possible
effect on your
well-being.
Your health and
safety come first.
Respect yourself,
stand by your values,
and be assertive in
your refusal.

9. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Assertive Refusal
Assertive communication is when you state your position and stand your ground while acknowledging the rights of others.
This is the most effective approach when facing negative peer influences.

10. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Refusal Skills
Effective refusal skills involve a three-step process.
State your position. Give an honest reason for your response. Offering a legitimate reason will help strengthen your refusal.
Suggest alternatives. Your suggestion is most effective if it takes you away from the dangerous or unpleasant situation.
Stand your ground. Use strong body language and maintain eye contact.

11. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Body Language and Assertive Refusal

12. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Passive and Aggressive Responses
To some people, a passive response to negative peer pressure seems more natural.
Teens who respond passively to peer pressure may believe they are making friends by going along.
Passive people may be viewed as pushovers who aren’t worthy of respect.
Passive Responses
Aggressive
Responses

13. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Assertive Communication
Learning and practicing assertive communication is the most effective way to deal with peer pressure.
Being assertive shows that you know strategies for solving interpersonal conflict without harming yourself and others.

14. Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. The influence that people your age may have on you is called ______.
harassment
2. manipulation
peer pressure
4. assertive communication

15. A. 3. Peer pressure Quick Review - Answer
The influence that people your age may have on you is called peer pressure.
Click Next to attempt another question.

16. Q. Which of the following is NOT a common method of manipulation?
Quick Review
Q. Which of the following is NOT a common method of manipulation?
Mocking or teasing another person in mean or hurtful ways
Displaying genuine compassion and caring
Using “guilt trips” to get desired results
Using flattery or praise to influence another person

17. A. 2. Displaying genuine compassion and caring
Quick Review - Answer
A. 2. Displaying genuine compassion and caring
Common methods of manipulation do not include displaying compassion and caring.
Click Next to attempt another question.

18. Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values.
True
False

19. Quick Review - Answer
A. True. Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values.
Click Next to attempt another question.

20. Quick Review
Q. Suppose a group of friends exhibit inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior, such as teasing another student in your school. In what ways can you show disapproval of this behavior?
Not participate in any of the disrespectful behavior, even as a spectator
Show compassion to the student who was teased
Treat everyone you encounter with respect
All of the above

21. A. 4. All of the above Quick Review - Answer
Ways to show disapproval of inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior such as teasing include not participating as a spectator in any disrespectful behavior; and showing compassion to the student who was teased; treating everyone you encounter with respect.
Click Next to attempt another question.

22. End of Lesson 2
Click Home to view the Main menu.

23. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Passive and Aggressive Responses
Some people may feel more comfortable with an aggressive response.
This may involve verbal or physical force.
Most people react to aggressive behavior by avoiding the individual or by fighting back.
Passive Responses
Aggressive
Responses

24. Peer Pressure Peer Pressure
Your peers can sometimes influence how you think, feel, and act.
Peer pressure can have a positive or negative influence on your actions and behaviors.
It is useful to learn to evaluate forms of peer pressure and develop healthful strategies for responding to it.
Peer pressure is the influence that people your age may have on you.

25. Negative Peer Pressure
Peers sometimes pressure others to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs that have negative consequences.
Negative peer pressure can involve harassment, which includes name-calling, teasing, or bullying.
Negative peer pressure may also lead some teens to engage in behaviors that go against their values.
Manipulation is another way of exerting negative peer pressure on others.
Harassment is persistently annoying others.

26. Negative Peer Pressure
Peers sometimes pressure others to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs that have negative consequences.
Negative peer pressure can involve harassment, which includes name-calling, teasing, or bullying.
Negative peer pressure may also lead some teens to engage in behaviors that go against their values.
Manipulation is another way of exerting negative peer pressure on others.
Manipulation is an indirect, dishonest way to control or influence others.

27. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Assertive Refusal
Assertive communication is when you state your position and stand your ground while acknowledging the rights of others.
This is the most effective approach when facing negative peer influences.
Being assertive means standing up for your rights in a firm but positive way.

28. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Refusal Skills
Effective refusal skills involve a three-step process.
State your position. Give an honest reason for your response. Offering a legitimate reason will help strengthen your refusal.
Suggest alternatives. Your suggestion is most effective if it takes you away from the dangerous or unpleasant situation.
Stand your ground. Use strong body language and maintain eye contact.
Refusal skills are communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe, unhealthful, or that go against your values.

29. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Passive and Aggressive Responses
To some people, a passive response to negative peer pressure seems more natural.
Teens who respond passively to peer pressure may believe they are making friends by going along.
Passive people may be viewed as pushovers who aren’t worthy of respect.
Passive Responses
Passive people have a tendency to give up, give in, or back down without standing up for rights and needs.
Aggressive
Responses

30. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Passive and Aggressive Responses
Some people may feel more comfortable with an aggressive response.
This may involve verbal or physical force.
Most people react to aggressive behavior by avoiding the individual or by fighting back.
Passive Responses
Aggressive people are overly
forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in their approach.
Aggressive
Responses

31. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! The influence that people your age may have on you is called peer pressure.
Click Next to attempt another question.

32. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

33. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Common methods of manipulation do not include displaying compassion and caring.
Click Next to attempt another question.

34. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

35. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values.
Click Next to attempt another question.

36. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

37. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Ways to show disapproval of inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior such as teasing include all of the following: not participating as a spectator in any disrespectful behavior; and showing compassion to the student who was teased; treating everyone you encounter with respect.
Click Next to attempt another question.

38. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.